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LATE NEWS

Published on September 15, 1997.

Microsoft Network hunts

Hollywood talent agency

[redmond, wash.] Microsoft Corp.'s Microsoft Network expects to hire a Hollywood talent agency in the next two to three weeks with the charge to extend its Internet properties into traditional media. MSN Executive Producer Bob Bejan said Microsoft believes its information- and entertainment-based online brands have value that can be expanded into other areas such as TV, print, movies and merchandising. The online service is talking to International Creative Management, William Morris Agency and several other agencies, but Creative Artists Agency has been ruled out (see full story at adage.com).

HMO set for review on

new $60 mil brand push

[san francisco] Kaiser Permanente as soon as this week is expected to announce that it is looking for an agency for a new, estimated $60 million national branding effort. The HMO currently has split its business among regional agencies, and sources indicated the business would remain intact at those agencies.

[washington] President Clinton's recommendation on the tobacco agreement due to be announced this week will contain no changes in either the ad or marketing curbs won by state attorneys general or the $500 million a year in anti-smoking advertising money. It also will contain no further changes in labeling.

[paris] Apple Computer's $20 million pan-European account was won by TBWA International, Amsterdam, as expected (AA, Sept. 8). TBWA picked up the account after two of the three European agencies vying for the business- Bartle Bogle Hegarty and Leagas Delaney, both London-dropped out after learning TBWA was the lead contender (see earlier news, Page 66). It was undetermined if BDDP, Paris, also dropped out.

Weight Watchers readies

interim ads minus Fergie

[jericho, n.y.] At press time, Weight Watchers International was hurriedly finishing a TV ad campaign to break Sept. 14 that will for the interim replace one featuring the Duchess of York. The company's estimated $25 million ad blitz for its 1,2,3 Success diet with Sarah Ferguson-which made a joking reference to outrunning the paparazzi-was pulled after Princess Diana's death. The new campaign, from Lowe & Partners/SMS, New York, is rolling type describing the program against the song, "Rescue Me." The company set a relaunch of the Fergie effort for Sept. 24.

Saatchi exits review

for SEAT's $150 mil acc't

[frankfurt] Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Worldwide has pulled out of the pitch for the $150 million European account for Volkswagen-owned SEAT cars, now split between Wilkens International, the former Ayer Europe network; and Barcelona agency Casadevall Pedreno & PRG. Saatchi has a possible conflict with Toyota Motor Corp.

Foot Locker seeking

shop for $25 mil business

[new york] Foot Locker has contacted agencies about its $25 million account and is setting up meetings. The retailer was said to have been considering splitting its business among several shops, but has now decided to name one. Bates USA resigned the account earlier this summer after Foot Locker had exploratory meetings with other agencies. Foot Locker did not return calls.

marketing assignment for college students, with billings estimated at $20 million. The assignment includes direct marketing, handled previously by JWT Direct, as well as additional duties in general advertising and integrated communications.

[washington] Global radio network WorldSpace Management has awarded Grey Advertising, London, its estimated $40 million account. WorldSpace is launching a satellite-based system to broadcast digital signals to radios globally.

F.Y.I.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association will hear presentations from BBDO South, Atlanta; D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, Los Angeles; Merkley Newman Harty, New York; and Richards Group, Dallas, for its new $15 million account to create a national awareness campaign. . . . Campbell Soup Co. has tapped BBDO New York Chairman Phil Dusenberry to handle an unprecedented umbrella advertising campaign for its soups that will run concurrently with its soup brand advertising, already assigned to BBDO. . . . Johnson & Johnson to Ammirati Puris Lintas, New York, from Cadwell Davis Partners for creative and strategic responsibility for its $10 million to $15 million o.b. sanitary protection account. . . . Siemens' Wireless Terminals unit is reviewing its multimillion dollar account as it readies a major expansion of its mobile phone business. Wolfe/ Doyle, San Francisco, is the incumbent. . . . Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising's Team One, El Segundo, Calif., the incumbent in the America West $24 million account, has dropped out. . . . Incumbent TBWA Chiat/Day, New York, will not participate in the $5 million to $7 million review for KPMG Peat Marwick. . . Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/Euro RSCG, New York, resigned its estimated $8 million Club Med account. . . . Forbes is expected to announce the launch of a global edition in upcoming weeks that would be distributed in Asia and Europe. . . . Larry Wangberg to CEO of Ziff-Davis' ZDTV: Your Computer Channel, San Francisco, a new post at the new cable channel, from